Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
To his own surprise, Avery didn’t seem even the least bit shocked by that. She only nodded as she looked back to Wells. “It’s nice to meet you again—under these circumstances.”
“You too,” Wells said, his shoulders coming back a fraction as his smile grew. Matty smiled, his eyes watering a little before he looked back at Avery.
“Does anyone else know? Mom? Dad? Seth or Laurence?”
He shook his head. “No.”
She nodded. “Really?”
“Yeah,” he said slowly, taking a step forward, his gaze holding hers. “I wanted to tell you first.”
Her face scrunched up. “Why?”
Swallowing, he struggled, his words not coming easily as he wished they would. How did he put into words that he was sorry, and that he wanted her to know first because when he’d decided he wanted to come out, it was Wells and then her before the rest of his family? That he wanted her to be in his life? That he wanted to be in Ashlyn’s life? That he missed her—dreadfully.
“Because contrary to my actions, I do love you.” His voice broke a bit. “A lot, actually, and I feel I owe you more than just an apology.”
She didn’t move at first. She just held his gaze, her eyes beginning to fill with tears before she slowly started to turn, opening the front door. “Well, come on in. I think Jace took Ashlyn to the beach, so we can talk.”
His heart stopped. She was letting him in.
Holy. Fuck.
Before he knew it, he was nodding, moving toward her as he looked over at Wells. He was smiling hard, and soon Matty was too.
He knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Hell, he even knew that her inviting him in didn’t mean she was forgiving him. But either way, this was his chance. She could still blow him off and never forgive him. He knew that was the likely outcome, but somewhere deep inside of him, he hoped it wouldn’t be.
He missed her.
And he needed her in his life.
Twelve
Oh, thank God!
Following behind Matty up the sidewalk toward Avery’s house, Wells was pretty sure his heart would never return to its assigned spot in his chest.
That. Was. Stressful.
Avery was letting Matty in, though, and Wells almost couldn’t believe it. He had been convinced that Jace would pose a problem. And once they got past him and he saw Avery in all her beautiful glory, looking every bit like Matty but also looking very upset, he suspected they wouldn’t get in.
But he was wrong.
And that was A-OK with him.
When they entered the house, it was cool with air conditioning, which Wells welcomed since it was hotter than Satan’s asshole outside. As the door shut behind him, he looked around to see stunning photos of Avery’s little family. A huge portrait of whom he suspected was Ashlyn adorned the wall that faced the door, and she was just precious. In a frilly little blue dress, she was smashing a cake, and her eyes were bright with excitement, and Wells couldn’t help but grin. “She is adorable.”
Avery beamed at the photo before looking back at them. “Thank you. She’s a mess and spoiled rotten.”
Wells smiled in agreement, pretty sure she wasn’t making that up. He knew for a fact that as soon as his nephew, Gunner, came, he too would be spoiled rotten. When Wells glanced over at Matty, though, he saw his boyfriend’s face was twisted as he stared at a photo. Focusing on the same photo, Wells immediately knew why. It was a photo of Avery, Ashlyn, and the rest of Matty’s family. He patted Matty’s back.
“Come on.”
Matty looked away, nodding as Avery said, “Why don’t we sit in the kitchen? Do either of you want a beer?”
Wells nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Sure. Thanks.”
She nodded, an uneasy look on her face as she went into the kitchen, while both men followed behind her. The house was done beachy but modern, with a touch of a farmhouse feel. It was cute and also a bit messy, which Wells figured was because of Ashlyn. He sat down at the table, Matty sitting beside him as Avery set the beers down and took the seat across from them.
“You don’t want one?” Matty asked, tipping the bottle toward her, and she shook her head.
“I’m actually pregnant.”
Wells smiled as Matty inhaled sharply beside him. “Congratulations.”
She beamed. “Thank you. It’s a surprise, just like Ashlyn, but a welcome one.”
“That’s awesome,” Matty added, and she nodded. “Does Mom know?”
“Nope, no one yet.”
Matty’s smile grew as he nodded. “Oh.”
“Yeah, Jace says it’s the only reason I’m talking to you. Because I’m super emotional.”
Matty looked away, nodding, though it looked painful. “Lucky for me.”
“It is!” Wells said very cheerfully, and when they both glanced at him, their brows pulled together, it was freaky. “Wow, okay, sorry.”
Matty chuckled as Wells leaned back, taking a pull of his beer. Avery watched them, her eyes darting between them. “So, how long have you two been together?”